The West Virginia Senate has approved two controversial bills that critics say target transgender residents and drag performers, sending the measures forward just before the state legislature’s key “crossover day” deadline.
Lawmakers passed the proposals on Wednesday after earlier approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both bills now move to the West Virginia House of Delegates for consideration.
One of the measures, Senate Bill 590, would restrict drag performances in public spaces and in any location where minors could potentially view them. The bill defines certain performances as “adult cabaret” and would prohibit them on public property or in venues accessible to minors. Critics warn that the language could be used broadly to target drag performers and LGBTQ-related events.
Supporters of the bill argue the measure is intended to protect children from explicit performances. Opponents counter that existing laws already regulate obscene material and that the legislation is instead aimed at suppressing LGBTQ expression.
A second proposal, Senate Bill 1083, has drawn even sharper criticism. Under that bill, transgender people who change clothes in locker rooms or similar spaces that match their gender identity could be charged with indecent exposure. Convictions under the measure could also require individuals to register as sex offenders.
Civil rights advocates say the bill could criminalize everyday activities for transgender residents. Opponents also argue the policy may place transgender people in dangerous situations by forcing them to use facilities that do not match their gender identity.
The legislation arrives amid a broader wave of state-level efforts across the United States that target LGBTQ rights, particularly transgender people. Advocacy groups and legal organizations have tracked hundreds of such bills in recent years addressing issues such as healthcare access, public accommodations, and gender identity recognition.
West Virginia has already been at the center of several national debates over transgender policy, including restrictions on transgender athletes and laws redefining sex in state statutes.
If the House passes the bills, they would head to the governor’s desk for final approval.
Advocates say the coming weeks will determine whether the proposals become law or face legal challenges, while opponents warn the measures could raise serious questions about free expression and civil rights protections in the state.
